Red Sox catchers who have hit over .240 over the last 50 years

The Boston Red Sox and backup catcher David Ross have reached agreement on a $6.2 million two-year contract. Ross has 11 years in the majors (including briefly with Boston – 8 games in 2008). A career backup, he has appeared in only 658 games, and appeared in 227 games in the last four seasons with the Atlanta Braves behind Brian McCann. Ross also has played for the Dodgers, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Cincinnati.

In 2012, Ross batted .256 with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 196 AB.

The addition of Ross probably means that the Sox will move at least one of their barely mediocre catchers, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and/or Ryan Lavarnway with the arbitration eligible Salty the most likely. As the primary catcher, Saltalamacchia did hit 25 homers last seasons but managed to drove home only 59 runs with his .222 average. A switch-hitter, Saltalamacchia hit .230 with 24 homers from the left side of the plate but as a righty he only hit .170 with just six RBI in 57 PA.

As a player, special assistant Jason Varitek was well respected, but truth be told it had been years since he was a threat at the plate and it has been awhile since the Red Sox have had an impact bat behind plate.

Here are the Red Sox catchers with at least 350 plate appearances (90% as a catcher) who have hit over .240 the last 50 seasons.

While this addition of a back-up catcher is a good one, the Red Sox need to sign Cody Ross more than David Ross.

Tagged as: Cody Ross, David Ross, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek